The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Facebook posts by MSP ‘shock’ councillor
ANGUS: Graeme Dey slates Independent Lois Speed’s decision to ‘prop up Tories’
SNP MSP Graeme Dey has sparked a row by attacking a disability campaigner’s decision to “prop up the Tories” on Angus Council.
Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed – mum to two disabled teenagers – said she was “quite shocked and concerned” by the attack on her decision to join the rainbow alliance.
Angus South MSP Mr Dey said on his Facebook page he was surprised she had opted to be part of an administration “dominated by a party that has slashed motability access and benefits for those genuinely in need”.
He said “propping up the Tories” was “propping up the policies they stand for”, such as the “rape clause” and “nuclear weapons”.
Ms Speed is part of the new administration made up of Independents, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats which will lead Angus Council for the next five years. She said: “I have absolutely no allegiance to any particular party.”
I feel that being on the administration will allow me to advocate more effectively for the most vulnerable in our community. COUNCILLOR LOIS SPEED
An SNP MSP has triggered a political spat by questioning a disability campaigner’s decision to join Angus Council’s coalition.
Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed felt compelled to respond to the social media post by Angus South MSP Graeme Dey.
Ms Speed, a disability campaigner, is part of the new Angus administration made up of Independents, Tories and Lib Dems.
Mr Dey said on his Facebook page that he was surprised she had opted to be part of an administration “dominated by a party which has slashed motability access and benefits for those genuinely in need”.
He added “propping up the Tories” was “propping up the policies they stand for”.
Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff said the county’s Independent councillors had taken “the Tory shilling”.
Ms Speed said: “I feel quite shocked and concerned that some political representatives would conduct such an attack on my decision without having all the facts available or seeking me out to ask the reasons for my decision.”
She added: “I feel that being on the administration will allow me to advocate more effectively for the most vulnerable in our community.”
Ms Speed said another reason for joining the administration was to put herself forward to be on the Integrated Joint Board for Health and Social Care to impact decision-making, but she stressed she has “absolutely no allegiance to any particular party” and gave an assurance that she would not vote for anything that she did not believe was right or in the best interests of her constituents.
Mr Dey later said: “Given the commendable type of campaign Lois Speed ran in the election and the important issues she holds dear, I think anyone would be surprised that she has opted to be part of an administration with the Tories at its heart.
“The Tories’ track record on supporting the most vulnerable in our society, alongside so many other things, is surely at odds with the values that she and I share.
“However, Ms Speed has made the decision she has and I note her explanation of it, alongside her commitment not to vote with the administration she disagrees with.”
Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff said: “Like him (Graeme Dey) I was surprised to see a disability rights campaigner joining a Tory coalition given that party’s assault on the benefits of the disabled.”
Depute council leader David Fairweather said it was “the Scottish Nasty Party at its best”.
He said: “I believe he (Mr Dey) has belittled his position with his comments.
“For Mr Dey to say it is a Tory-led administration is misinformed.”
Additionally, Mr Fairweather said he was not surprised by Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff’s comments given what he described as the “usual garbage he puts on social media”.